George and Thunder star Russell Westbrook have developed a close friendship, according to the New York Times.

I think what we've really underestimated is the partnership Paul George and Russell Westbrook have built. "This is a friendship decision to stay in OKC as much as anything," one rival executive tells me

George averaged 21.9 points and 5.7 rebounds in 2017-18, his first with the Thunder. He also shot 40.1 percent from 3-point range and dished out 3.3 assists per contest.

George, a five-time All-Star, was originally selected by the Pacers with the 10th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. He spent seven seasons in Indiana before he was traded to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in July 2017.

George had been considering signing with the Lakers this offseason, according to multiple reports.

Carmelo Anthony opted into the final year of his contract with the Thunder earlier this month, according to multiple reports. He finished 2017-18 averaging a career-low 16.2 points and struggled playing alongside George and Westbrook.

The Thunder finished last season with a 48-34 record and earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Oklahoma City fell to the Jazz in six games in the first round.

All signings will not be official until the end of the NBA moratorium period on 6 July.